Heart Screenings Could Provide Earlier Detection in Young Athletes

From: Sewickley Patch

Cases of younger people – particularly young athletes – dying of sudden cardiac arrest are tragic.

Although they lead active and healthy lifestyles, experts say young athletesare more than twice as likely to suffer from sudden cardiac arrest when compared to non-athletes, and they say screenings could help detect underlying medical abnormalities before it's too late.

Dr. William Belden, a cardiologist at Allegheny General Hospital said sudden cardiac arrest in younger people, like the recent death of a 23-year-old former North Allegheny High School football player, aren't as common as in older adults, but they are notable.